Third Heathrow runway plans unveiled

Plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport have been published today.

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly outlined the scheme, which may see flight numbers from the hub rise to some 700,000 a year once the expansion is completed, in a consultation paper asking local residents and other interested parties to submit views on the plans.

The initiative, if approved, will see a sixth terminal come into operation and improve capacity as a result, potentially reducing delays for passengers, Ms Kelly said, stressing that careful consideration has been made of the noise and air quality issues involved.

"If nothing changes, Heathrow's status as a world-class airport will be gradually eroded - jobs will be lost and the economy will suffer," Ms Kelly stated at the launch of the consultation.

"London and the UK's nations and regions alike are reliant on the good international connections that the Heathrow hub provides."

While environmental campaigners have expressed concerns that the move will hamper the UK's attempt to tackle climate change, airport operator BAA told BBC Radio that the new runway will boost tourism and will provide a significant number of new jobs, Reuters reports.

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